LAST UPDATED: March 20, 2025
Spain has always had a following among Canadian snowbirds, but it's become even more popular in recent years - both over the winter and throughout the year. And for snowbirds exploring options about where to spend next winter, a visit to Spain this spring is a great opportunity to get a taste of this sunny, southern European country to plan a return for your snowbird escape.
Whether you're just going for a getaway or checking it out as a place to spend next winter, spring is a wonderful time to visit Spain - before the summer crush of visitors arrives - and as nature returns the country to glorious colours with blossoms everywhere you go.
Leave your coat behind as you visit the architecturally beautiful Spanish cities and the spectacular national parks. Enjoy outdoor cafes during the day for a cortado - and at night? Dinner alfresco and sipping fabulous Spanish wines. Spain is definitely a foodie destination, featuring regional culinary delights such as Tapas.
Enjoy strolling the wonderful beaches along the sparkling Mediterranean coast - dotted with picturesque towns and villages.
Spain is actually made up of 17 different regions - each with its own distinct personality in terms of geography, culture and cuisine.
Snowbirds who are considering Spain as a winter destination will want to focus on the southern regions, as well as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, which have a milder climate. You can find a lot of great information on Spain’s official tourism website.
Getting there
There are several direct air routes currently operating between Canada and Spain. But of course, it is also possible to connect through many points in the UK or Europe as well.
Currently, there are flights from Toronto, Montreal and Calgary on Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga. Flight schedules and dates change frequently so it is best to check each airline or ask your travel agent for the most up-to-date schedules.
Getting around Spain
There are many options for getting around Spain once you are there - everything from local public transport to high-speed rail and domestic flights.
Spain’s high-speed rail service is a great way to get from one part of Spain to another, with connections between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Alicante. There are many regular rail lines connecting a myriad of smaller centers all over Spain. Buying a Spain rail pass is a great idea - you can purchase a pass for various durations for your stay.
If you prefer to drive yourself, a car rental is of course an option.
Fabulous Madrid & Barcelona
If you are flying to Spain, you will most likely arrive in either Madrid or Barcelona, both fabulous cities and worth a three-day visit at the beginning or end of your trip.
Madrid is the Spanish capital and is filled with stunning architecture, elegant boulevards, fine city parks and many spectacular collections of art. Madrid is also the capital of Flamenco - the dramatic Spanish art form that combines classic guitar, voice and dance. Brimming with history and culture, Madrid is a city for the senses.
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, set on the Mediterranean coast. It’s a cosmopolitan city that is home to the fabulous Gaudi cathedral – La Sagrada Familia – which is reason alone to go there. There’s no other building on earth like this one. Gaudi’s architecture can be found throughout the city centre, as well as museums dedicated to both Picasso and Miro. On the waterfront and also a cruise ship port, Barcelona is a great city for strolling.
World Heritage Cities in Spain
Spain is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites - 15 of which are cities - including Salamanca, home to the first university in Spain; Santiago, the final stop on the famous pilgrimage route the Camino de Santiago; Cuenca with its unique hanging houses built into the cliff side; the Old Town in Caceres with its mediaeval streets and mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture; and the island of Ibiza – one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.
Where to go in Spain
There is so much to see in Spain and each region and city is different. If you are scouting out a place for next winter however, you will want to focus on the following more southerly regions.
Andalusia
Andalusia is the large region across much of the south of Spain bordering on the Mediterranean – and home to such iconic resort towns as Malaga and Marbella along the famous Costa del Sol. Inland, you’ll find the amazing cities Seville and Granada, among others.
Located close to North Africa, this region has deep Moorish influences following occupation by the Moors from the 8th C to 15th C, which you will see in the architecture and the look of the cities like the breathtaking Granada and some special villages.
However, the beaches are the biggest draw of this part of Spain, with many seaside towns and villages along the coast, along with the fabulous food. You’ll want to sample wonderful local Tapas, wines and olive oil.
Valencia
Valencia is a city and also a region on Spain’s eastern coast. The city is home to the UNESCO site the Silk Exchange ‘La Lonja de la Seda’ as well as the City of Arts and Sciences featuring an aquarium, a planetarium and an opera house amidst a stunning modern architecture complex.
Paella is said to have been invented here - although exactly where is a matter of ongoing debate!
The area has many fabulous beaches and resort areas including Alicante, Denia and Benidorm.
Murcia
Murcia is also both a city and a region just south of the Valencia region. Also on the Mediterranean, Murcia has some pristine beaches that are less busy than its neighbours in the Costa Del Sol or the Valencia regions. Murcia’s beach towns are not well known but offer the same sunny Mediterranean beach experience of its sister regions.
A university town, Murcia has many expansive parks and pedestrian streets and is great for walking. It is home to a stunning cathedral but also has historic links to the Jewish community.
Cartagena is another city in the Murcia region and is a large Spanish naval base. It has contrasting Roman sites alongside modernist architecture. And of course, beaches too!
Mallorca
Mallorca is one of Spain’s Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean off Spain’s southeastern coast.
A summer vacation favorite for the British and Europeans, Mallorca is a beautiful island that has it all - beautiful beaches and secluded coves, watersports, great food and restaurants, nightlife, a sunny mild climate year-round and a rich history.
Spring is a great time to visit Mallorca before the summer tourists arrive, and you’ll find lots of accommodation choices here. Getting to Mallorca is easy - there are several ferries from Spain as well as flights from Spain and many parts of Europe.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of northwest Africa belonging to Spain - the largest of which is Tenerife. The islands have a sub-tropical climate and have long been a favourite vacation choice of British and European visitors, so you’ll find a good infrastructure of accommodations, bars, restaurants and lots to do.
Outside of the tourist areas there are national parks that are perfect for hiking and exploring - along with the volcanoes - including the third tallest volcano in the world in Tenerife.
The Canary Islands have the mildest climate in all of Spain in the winter and would be a good choice for snowbirds in the winter. Spring is also an ideal time to visit because of mild temperatures, fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates.
Accommodations
Winter - and Spring - is off-season in most of Spain, so you will find rates that are much more reasonable than during the summer months for all kinds of accommodation, including resorts, efficiency hotels with kitchens, rural inns and rental apartments.
If you’re looking for some unique places to stay during excursions or shorter visits to Spain, the state-owned Paradores de Turismo is a network of hotels that are housed in historic buildings - including palaces and monasteries - in spectacular settings.
In Spain, be sure to check whether any meals are included with your accommodations, as it is common for breakfast to be included and sometimes one more meal as well. Also, check on the availability of Internet connection or air conditioning in the room - and whether there are laundry facilities, a gym, parking, etc…
You can find more information about accommodations in Spain here.
Food and wine
While each region of Spain has its own local specialties, most people think of Tapas, Paella, Gazpacho and great wines - including the wonderful Rioja - when they think of Spain. But there is so much more to Spanish cuisine.
Iberian ham is served in many different ways, as are olives and olive oils, cheeses, anchovies and wonderful breads. Seafood dishes are plentiful including shrimp and octopus. For dessert try Churros, a cinnamon donut strip - and Flan – a sweet egg custard.
One thing to be aware of, the Spanish eat dinner quite late in the evening - usually between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. or even later!
The bottom line
Spain is a great destination for Canadian snowbirds, both for long-term stays over the winter and for shorter trips in the spring.
Retired Europeans and the British have been spending the winter in Spain for many decades, and the sunny dry climate in the south makes it a perfect snowbird destination.
For more information on Spanish Tourism check out www.spain.info.
